[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H7306-H7310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1445
TO RESEARCH, EVALUATE, ASSESS, AND TREAT ASTRONAUTS ACT
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 6076) to require the Administrator of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration to establish a program for the medical
monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of astronauts, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6076
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``To Research, Evaluate,
Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act'' or the ``TREAT Astronauts
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Human space exploration can pose significant challenges
and is full of substantial risk, which has ultimately claimed
the lives of 24 National Aeronautics and Space Administration
astronauts serving in the line of duty.
(2) As United States government astronauts participate in
long-duration and exploration spaceflight missions they may
experience increased health risks, such as vision impairment,
bone demineralization, and behavioral health and performance
risks, and may be exposed to galactic cosmic radiation.
Exposure to high levels of radiation and microgravity can
result in acute and long-term health consequences that can
increase the risk of cancer and tissue degeneration and have
potential effects on the musculoskeletal system, central
nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune function, and
vision.
(3) To advance the goal of long-duration and exploration
spaceflight missions, United States government astronaut
Scott Kelly participated in a one-year twins study in space
while his identical twin brother, former United States
government astronaut Mark Kelly, acted as a human control
specimen on Earth, providing an understanding of the
physical, behavioral, microbiological, and molecular reaction
of the human body to an extended period of time in space.
(4) Since the Administration currently provides medical
monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment for United States
government astronauts during their active employment, given
the unknown long-term health consequences of long-duration
space exploration, the Administration has requested statutory
authority from Congress to provide medical monitoring,
diagnosis, and treatment to former United States government
astronauts for psychological and medical conditions
associated with human space flight.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States should continue to seek the unknown
and lead the world in space exploration and scientific
discovery as the Administration prepares for long-duration
and exploration spaceflight in deep space and an eventual
mission to Mars;
(2) data relating to the health of astronauts will become
increasingly valuable to improving our understanding of many
diseases humans face on Earth;
(3) the Administration should provide the type of
monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment described in subsection
(a) only for conditions the Administration considers unique
to the training or exposure to the spaceflight environment of
United States government astronauts and should not require
any former United States government astronauts to participate
in the Administration's monitoring;
(4) such monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment should not
replace a former United States government astronaut's private
health insurance;
(5) expanded data acquired from such monitoring, diagnosis,
and treatment should be used to tailor treatment, inform the
requirements for new spaceflight medical hardware, and
develop controls in order to prevent disease occurrence in
the astronaut corps; and
(6) the 340-day space mission of Scott Kelly aboard the
ISS--
(A) was pivotal for the goal of the United States for
humans to explore deep space and Mars as the mission
generated new insight into how the human body adjusts to
weightlessness, isolation, radiation, and the stress of long-
duration space flight; and
(B) will help support the physical and mental well-being of
astronauts during longer space exploration missions in the
future.
SEC. 3. MEDICAL MONITORING AND RESEARCH RELATING TO HUMAN
SPACE FLIGHT.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 201 of title 51,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 20148. Medical monitoring and research relating to
human space flight
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Administrator may provide for the medical monitoring
and diagnosis of a former United States government astronaut
or a former payload specialist for conditions that the
Administrator considers potentially associated with human
space flight, and may provide for the treatment of a former
United States government astronaut or a former payload
specialist for conditions that the Administrator considers
[[Page H7307]]
associated with human space flight, including scientific and
medical tests for psychological and medical conditions.
``(b) Requirements.--
``(1) No cost sharing.--The medical monitoring, diagnosis,
or treatment described in subsection (a) shall be provided
without any deductible, copayment, or other cost sharing
obligation.
``(2) Access to local services.--The medical monitoring,
diagnosis, and treatment described in subsection (a) may be
provided by a local health care provider if it is unadvisable
due to the health of the applicable former United States
government astronaut or former payload specialist for that
former United States government astronaut or former payload
specialist to travel to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center,
as determined by the Administrator.
``(3) Secondary payment.--Payment or reimbursement for the
medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment described in
subsection (a) shall be secondary to any obligation of the
United States government or any third party under any other
provision of law or contractual agreement to pay for or
provide such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment. Any
costs for items and services that may be provided by the
Administrator for medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment
under subsection (a) that are not paid for or provided under
such other provision of law or contractual agreement, due to
the application of deductibles, copayments, coinsurance,
other cost sharing, or otherwise, are reimbursable by the
Administrator on behalf of the former United States
government astronaut or former payload specialist involved to
the extent such items or services are authorized to be
provided by the Administrator for such medical monitoring,
diagnosis, or treatment under subsection (a).
``(4) Conditional payment.--The Administrator may provide
for conditional payments for or provide medical monitoring,
diagnosis, or treatment described in subsection (a) that is
obligated to be paid for or provided by the United States or
any third party under any other provision of law or
contractual agreement to pay for or provide such medical
monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment if--
``(A) payment for (or the provision of) such medical
monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment services has not been
made (or provided) or cannot reasonably be expected to be
made (or provided) promptly by the United States or such
third party, respectively; and
``(B) such payment (or such provision of services) by the
Administrator is conditioned on reimbursement by the United
States or such third party, respectively, for such medical
monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment.
``(c) Exclusions.--The Administrator may not--
``(1) provide for medical monitoring or diagnosis of a
former United States government astronaut or former payload
specialist under subsection (a) for any psychological or
medical condition that is not potentially associated with
human space flight;
``(2) provide for treatment of a former United States
government astronaut or former payload specialist under
subsection (a) for any psychological or medical condition
that is not associated with human space flight; or
``(3) require a former United States government astronaut
or former payload specialist to participate in the medical
monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment authorized under
subsection (a).
``(d) Privacy.--Consistent with applicable provisions of
Federal law relating to privacy, the Administrator shall
protect the privacy of all medical records generated under
subsection (a) and accessible to the Administration.
``(e) Regulations.--The Administrator shall promulgate such
regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.
``(f) Definition of United States Government Astronaut.--In
this section, the term `United States government astronaut'
has the meaning given the term `government astronaut' in
section 50902, except it does not include an individual who
is an international partner astronaut.
``(g) Data Use and Disclosure.--The Administrator may use
or disclose data acquired in the course of medical
monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment of a former United States
government astronaut or a former payload specialist under
subsection (a), in accordance with subsection (d). Former
United States government astronaut or former payload
specialist participation in medical monitoring, diagnosis, or
treatment under subsection (a) shall constitute consent for
the Administrator to use or disclose such data.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for chapter
201 of title 51, United States Code is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 20147 the following:
``20148. Medical monitoring and research relating to human space
flight''.
(c) Annual Reports.--
(1) In general.--Each fiscal year, not later than the date
of submission of the President's annual budget request for
that fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31, United
States Code, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration shall publish a report, in
accordance with applicable Federal privacy laws, on the
activities of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration under section 20148 of title 51, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a).
(2) Contents.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall
include a detailed cost accounting of the Administration's
activities under such section 20148 of title 51, United
States Code, and a 5-year budget estimate.
(3) Submission to congress.--The Administrator shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress each report under
paragraph (1) not later than the date of submission of the
President's annual budget request for that fiscal year under
section 1105 of title 31, United States Code.
(d) Cost Estimate.--
(1) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration shall enter into an
arrangement with an independent external organization to
undertake an independent cost estimate of the cost to the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal
Government to implement and administer the activities of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration under section
20148 of title 51, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a). The independent external organization may not be an
entity of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
such as the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance.
(2) Submittal to congress.--Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall submit the independent cost estimate undertaken
pursuant to paragraph (1) to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate.
(e) Privacy Study.--
(1) Study.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration shall carry out a study on any
potential privacy or legal issues related to the possible
sharing beyond the Federal Government of data acquired under
the activities of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration under section 20148 of title 51, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a).
(2) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report containing the results
of the study carried out under paragraph (1).
(f) Inspector General Audit.--The Inspector General of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall
periodically audit or review, as the Inspector General
considers necessary to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, the
activities of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration under section 20148 of title 51, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Babin) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H.R. 6076, the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, for over 50 years, the United States of America has
asked its bravest to travel to space in service of their country. From
the dynamic launch environment to the unforgiving vacuum of space, to
the energetic reentry of Earth, human spaceflight places astronauts in
challenging environments. Even training for spaceflight carries
significant risks. I am very proud to say that I represent a great
number of these astronauts who call Houston their home.
As a nation, we have an obligation to those whom we put in harm's
way. As a Congress, we have a responsibility to provide for the
treatment of conditions caused by Federal service. As a healthcare
professional myself, and as their Representative, you can say it is my
duty to make sure that these folks are taken care of properly. This is
why I have sponsored H.R. 6076, the TREAT Astronauts Act, a very
commonsense, fiscally responsible, bipartisan bill that makes sure that
our brave men and women who venture into space receive the support for
medical issues associated with their service.
The psychological and medical data associated with an astronaut's
human spaceflight service is very important for our future space
endeavors. The TREAT Astronauts Act will provide this additional data
and will enable NASA to better understand the medical risks of
spaceflight, minimize
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these risks, and enable future long-duration missions to Mars and even
beyond.
I am very thankful to Chairman Lamar Smith for his support of the
TREAT Astronauts Act and for his leadership as chairman of the Science,
Space, and Technology Committee. I am also very glad that my colleague,
Ms. Edwards, is an original cosponsor and that the bill was reported
out of committee by a voice vote with broad bipartisan support.
The amendment before us today represents compromise language agreed
upon with the Senate in good faith that this language will be included
and passed in a NASA Authorization Act before the 114th Congress
recesses. The program established under this compromise language is
very similar to the program that passed out of the committee.
In developing this bill, my staff and I had extensive discussions
with former astronauts, NASA, and a number of other Federal agencies.
The TREAT Astronauts Act is also informed by a hearing the Space
Subcommittee held back in June, at which a number of former astronauts
testified, including Captain Scott Kelly, who spent a year on the
International Space Station.
Under existing statutes, NASA has the authority to collect voluntary
astronaut medical data for research. It exercises that authority
through the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health program, or LSAH.
However, there are limitations on the usefulness of the LSAH program.
Former astronaut participation is only 61 percent and the existing LSAH
program only affords NASA access to yearly checkup data, not the
entirety of the former astronauts' medical records.
Furthermore, NASA is unable to provide for the appropriate diagnosis
and treatment under the existing authority to conduct research. The
TREAT Astronauts Act solves this problem by supplementing existing
authorities.
Congress would be remiss not to ensure that the TREAT Astronauts Act
is fiscally responsible. The TREAT Astronauts Act is not a mandate and
is subject to existing discretionary appropriations.
In order to address cost risks, the bill establishes NASA as a
secondary payer to existing obligations of the United States or third
parties, ensuring that the cost to NASA is minimal. Establishing NASA
as a secondary payer is not unprecedented. For example, the Department
of Defense is a secondary payer to veteran and civilian healthcare
programs.
Allow me to make this clear for the record. Although NASA is a
secondary payer, the TREAT Astronauts Act provides that no
participating former astronaut or payload specialist will have to pay
for anything out of pocket, including deductibles and copayments
associated with the primary payer.
There are a number of reporting requirements, including an
independent cost estimate and an annual fiscal report. These reports
will ensure that Congress is well informed and able to conduct
appropriate oversight.
Participation in the program is voluntary. No astronaut should be
forced or coerced to participate in this program. In the event that an
astronaut chooses not to participate in the program, there are still
other occupational healthcare options available to them. But if they do
participate, the astronauts have consented that NASA can use and
disclose the data they collect, subject to protecting their personally
identifiable health information.
In conclusion, I strongly support the TREAT Astronauts Act, and I
urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, fiscally responsible,
bipartisan bill that makes sure that our brave men and women who
venture into space receive the support for medical issues associated
with their service.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6076, as amended, the TREAT
Astronauts Act.
The House-passed, bipartisan NASA Authorization Act of 2015 set the
long-term goal of sending humans to the surface of Mars. The amendments
to the TREAT Astronauts Act being considered today will help provide
the research results needed to achieve this goal. As Chairman Babin
noted, the amendment reflects compromise language agreed upon with the
Senate in good faith.
Committee Ranking Member Johnson and I thank Space Subcommittee
Chairman Babin and his staff for working together to achieve bipartisan
and bicameral consensus on this amendment.
Chairman Babin and I both want to do the right thing for the health
of our current and future astronauts. That is why I was pleased to be a
cosponsor of this act to provide for monitoring, diagnosis, and
treatment of former astronauts.
Our astronauts are heroes. They serve this Nation in the face of
extreme risks. Some of those risks involve the potential for medical
conditions that may not reveal themselves for years or even decades
after an astronaut's service.
It is our responsibility to ensure that we, as a nation, acknowledge
the risks that these heroes have taken and, in return, provide our
astronauts with the medical monitoring and treatment they need.
It is also our responsibility to mitigate the risks for future NASA
explorers, especially as we put in place the systems and missions to
prepare the way for human exploration to Mars. Such risk mitigation
requires data about astronauts' mental and psychological health.
H.R. 6076, as amended, maintains the three principles I identified as
critical to this legislation in the original bill.
The first principle is getting care to former astronauts under this
program as soon as possible. NASA has indicated that some former
astronauts could already benefit from this new authority.
As Chairman Babin noted, this bill provides NASA with supplementary
authority. As such, I would expect that monitoring provided by NASA's
Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health program will continue to be
made available to any former astronaut or payload specialist electing
not to participate in the program being established by this
legislation.
The second principle is being respectful of astronaut rights and
privacy. As we expand the amount of data collected on former astronaut
health, it is important that we place a priority on ensuring the
privacy of the data. NASA is tasked to report on how the agency will
ensure the privacy of astronauts in the program when data is shared
beyond the Federal Government.
The third principle is ensuring that the program is in sync with the
goal of sending humans to Mars. Expanded data acquired from the
monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of former astronauts and former
shuttle payload specialists will be invaluable for informing the
requirements for new spaceflight medical hardware and developing
controls to prevent disease occurrence in the astronaut corps.
Mr. Speaker, it is also my hope that Congress and the administration
will enable NASA to get to Mars sooner rather than later. As part of
that effort, we must establish the safeguards that will get our
astronauts there and back safely. Supporting this bill will allow us to
stay on that vector.
I ask my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Smith), the chairman of the full committee.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas, the
author of this bill, for yielding. I also want to say that Congressman
Brian Babin is an excellent chairman of the Space Subcommittee of the
full Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
Mr. Speaker, since NASA selected the first group of astronauts in
1959, more than 300 brave American astronauts have ventured into the
cosmos as explorers. In an age when spaceflight has come to seem almost
routine, it is easy to overlook how dangerous it is and how little we
know about its long-term health effects.
H.R. 6076, the TREAT Astronauts Act, ensures that our courageous men
and women who venture into space receive support for medical issues
associated with their service.
The TREAT Astronauts Act also will help us better understand the
medical science of human spaceflight, enabling
[[Page H7309]]
next generation of explorers to literally go where no man has gone
before. I should say where no man or woman has gone before.
The TREAT Astronauts Act builds upon NASA's existing Lifetime
Surveillance of Astronaut Health program and will operate within
existing NASA resources. It provides for enhanced monitoring,
diagnosis, and treatment of conditions associated with spaceflight
service.
I thank Space Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin again for introducing
this legislation and for his persistence in getting us to the point of
passage. We wouldn't be here today without him.
I urge my colleagues to support the TREAT Astronauts Act.
Before I conclude, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to take a moment to
thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards), who is a friend and
has been the ranking member of the Space Subcommittee for the last 2
years, for her outstanding service to Congress and for being a
wonderful contributor to the Science Committee as a whole, and in
particular the Space Subcommittee. To almost any subject, she always
brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and in this case, an almost unequal
dedication to space exploration, which we will continue to appreciate
both now and in the future. I just thank her again for, as I said, her
many contributions to the committee and the subcommittee and say that I
hope she stays in touch with us. She will always be a friend of the
committee and many members of this side of the aisle.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I want to share with Chairman Smith that I
am so grateful for his remarks today on the floor. He beat me to the
punch, but it has been a pleasure both to work on the committee since
the beginning of my time here in the Congress. It is the most fun I
think that I have ever had, and I have truly enjoyed the collegial
working relationship and friendship that we have shared on both sides
of the aisle.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) the ranking member of the
Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of
H.R. 6076, as amended, To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat
Astronauts Act, or the TREAT Astronauts Act.
Long-duration exposure to microgravity and space radiation can lead
to chronic health effects such as muscle atrophy, bone loss, permanent
vision impairment, and cancer. However, there is much we still need to
understand regarding how the space environment relates to these effects
and other critical biological functions, such as immunity and tissue
healing, so that appropriate countermeasures can be developed.
{time} 1500
This bill, as amended, would provide NASA with the statutory
authority to perform monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment for former
astronauts for medical or psychological conditions associated with
human spaceflight.
Through this authorization, NASA would be able to acquire data from a
larger set of participants, and the data acquired on former astronauts
would be more comprehensive.
This bill, as amended, reflects several changes that strengthen and
improve the bipartisan bill that passed out of committee in September.
In particular, the provision that would sunset the monitoring,
diagnosis, and treatment program for former astronauts after 10 years
has been removed.
In addition, the current version of the bill removes a provision that
would have denied a fiscal year's authorization of appropriations for
the program if NASA did not submit an annual report on time.
Mr. Speaker, NASA's astronauts are some of the most accomplished,
highly trained, and courageous individuals who serve our Nation in the
pursuit of furthering our exploration of outer space. We owe them a
debt of gratitude for their willingness to risk their health and their
lives in the furtherance of space exploration. I would urge all of the
House Members to vote for and pass H.R. 6076, as amended.
I too want to join the chairman to express my appreciation and thanks
for the services of Congresswoman Donna Edwards for her leadership in
bringing this measure to this point and to her overall leadership as
subcommittee ranking member of the Space Subcommittee. She has made
many efforts, has led the committee with much understanding, and we
certainly will miss her.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I hope that my colleagues will join us in this
bipartisan effort to make sure that we can get signed into law the
TREAT Act for our current, former, and future astronauts.
I would like to close by expressing my gratitude to Chairman Lamar
Smith, to Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, and to our Subcommittee
Chair Babin for their graciousness and for their leadership. It has
truly been a joy to work on the Science, Space, and Technology
Committee. It is one of the few places in the United States House of
Representatives where our charge is really to think about the future,
and it is in this spirit that this legislation is in front of us today.
I hadn't anticipated, Mr. Speaker, that I would have a moment on the
floor of the House, my last moment on the floor of the House before I
depart my service to the United States House of Representatives, but I
am grateful for that.
As I reflect on the last 8\1/2\ years, it has really been a pleasure,
particularly, to work on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee,
and to do that in what seems like a contentious environment sometimes
but has been a lot of collegiality.
As I close my service in the Congress, I am, Mr. Speaker, reminded
that, as a little girl, I used to picnic with my father and my mother
and my siblings on the west front of the Capitol. My dad was in his Air
Force uniform, prepared to go back to work after we had had our little
picnic.
As little girls, we would run around to the east front of the
Capitol, Mr. Speaker, and climb the steps, when you could climb the
steps. And we would sit there in between my father and look out on the
United States Supreme Court and the Library of Congress.
I never would have imagined, Mr. Speaker, that I would have an
opportunity to serve in the House of Representatives; and it has been a
great privilege and a joy to represent the people of the Fourth
Congressional District of Maryland.
I wish for my colleagues here in the Congress that, as we approach
the 115th Congress, and in the spirit of service to this great Nation,
that we work together in service to the Nation.
When we come to work every day, Mr. Speaker, people think about
things that are big and small; but for a lot of people out there, a lot
of our constituents, it is about their health and their life, their
safety and their security, the ability of them to raise their children,
and to move forward. And I wish that, in the upcoming Congress, that we
have an opportunity to do those things together, and that you do.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the staff of the Science, Space,
and Technology Committee, and the Space Subcommittee, Allen Li, Pam
Whitney, Dick Obermann; Anne Nelson on the minority staff, and the
majority staff for all of their work; to the people who serve in this
institution and serve us tremendously, from the Parliamentarians to the
stenographers and the Clerk's staff, and the Marshals Service and the
Capitol Police, and all of it, because it makes the trains run, and it
means that we can get the job done of the people of the United States.
God bless the United States of America.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to thank our full
committee chairman, Lamar Smith; our ranking subcommittee member, Ms.
Edwards from Maryland; and also our ranking member of the full
committee, Eddie Bernice Johnson from Texas as well.
I would also like to thank my staff and the staff of the full
committee, as well as the subcommittee, who have worked so hard to make
this bill happen. It was so badly needed for our astronauts.
Mr. Speaker, I include a letter from the American Association of
Space Explorers into the Record. This is signed
[[Page H7310]]
by the president of the American Association of Space Explorers,
astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria.
Association of Space
Explorers--USA,
Webster, TX, 7 December 2016.
Hon. Brian Babin,
Chair, Subcommittee on Space, House Committee on Science,
Space and Technology, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Babin: I am writing on behalf of the U.S.
chapter of the international Association of Space Explorers
(ASE-USA) to strongly endorse H.R. 6076, the ``To Research,
Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts'' (TREAT) Act, that is
under consideration by the House of Representatives.
Our organization counts over 210 American current and
former flown astronauts as its members. Our mission is to
provide a forum for professional dialogue among individuals
who have flown in space, to promote education in science and
mathematics and inspire in students a lifelong commitment to
learning, to foster environmental awareness and encourage
planetary stewardship, to promote the benefits of space
science and exploration and to advocate for international
cooperation and operational compatibility in current and
future space exploration endeavors.
We in the astronaut community applaud your Committee for
recognizing the risks inherent in traveling to and exploring
space, and for ensuring that the men and women who do so on
behalf of our nation receive support for medical issues
associated with their service.
I urge the House to pass the TREAT Act so that my
colleagues and future generations of Americans can continue
to explore and expand the frontiers of space and human
knowledge, and can return home to Earth suitably protected
from the potential medical consequences of those endeavors on
behalf of the United States.
Sincerely,
Michael Lopez-Alegria,
President.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan of Tennessee). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6076, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________